Bill
HB 3173
85(R) - 2017
House Special Purpose Districts
Senate Intergovernmental Relations
House Special Purpose Districts
Senate Intergovernmental Relations
Special Districts
Vote Recommendation
No
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Negative
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Neutral
Author(s)
Cecil Bell Jr.
Sponsor(s)
Brandon Creighton
Bill Caption
Relating to the powers of the Harris County Improvement District No. 17 and to the creation of the East Lake Houston Management District; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, or taxes.
Fiscal Notes
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Bill Analysis
This is a local bill. HB 3173 would create the East Lake Houston Management District, granting it certain powers to implement and finance economic development activities. This includes the authority to issue bonds or other obligations and impose taxes. Compliance standards and other requirements would be instituted. This district will have no eminent domain power, and would be eligible for inclusion in tax increment reinvestment zones.
Vote Recommendation Notes
HB 3173 would give this new management district authority allowing it to promote, develop, encourage, and maintain employment, commerce, transportation, housing, tourism, recreation, the arts, entertainment, economic development, safety, and the public welfare in the district
The district would be a part of a broader class of special districts known as Municipal Management Districts (MMD). This bill would grant municipal-type authority to a non-municipal entity, essentially creating a city within a city that lacks true accountability, which does not bode well towards supporting our liberty principles. Ultimately, promoting arts, entertainment, tourism, and economic development is the role of the private sector and not government.
For these reasons, we oppose HB 3173.
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